Where Did This Come From

But Grandpa Gene the High Saint showed no reaction...

She tried again to awaken Grandpa Gene, but he was deeply asleep and could not wake up...

How could she get him to "eat" the pearl?

Grace was truly stumped.

Just then, a strange noise echoed through the Sanctum.

Grace turned her head and was so startled that she dropped the pearl from her hand.

She saw a massive magical beast flying through the air.

Its whole body was jet black, crowned with a bone crest symbolizing royalty. Its eyes glowed crimson, and its body and tail resembled a qilin. Its limbs were sharp and powerful, and it had four muscular wings with jagged edges—one sweep could slice anything in half...

It was a gigantic Flying Demon Drake!

“Wh-where did this come from...” Grace felt a chill run down her spine.

The Flying Demon Drake spotted her and suddenly dove toward her.

Grace was hit by the force and sent flying, crashing into a boulder with a thud. The pain made her feel like her insides had shifted.

After finally catching her breath, she saw the Flying Demon Drake standing before her, hugging its wings, hunching its shoulders, its blood-red eyes filled with a pleading look.

That expression, that posture... On such a terrifying face, it somehow looked adorably clumsy and awkward.

Wait a minute!

Why does this feel so familiar...

Grace quickly looked at its right wing.

There was a white spot on it.

"You... are you Benny?" Grace exclaimed in surprise.

Benny's wing did have a little white spot.

Now, it had turned into a big white spot.

Could it be because of that Infernal Drake Soul Core?

Benny nodded, his big head stretching over, trying to nuzzle up to her.

"Hey! Don't come over here! Stay back!" Grace hurriedly retreated.

If he actually managed to nuzzle her, she'd lose a layer of skin for sure!

Benny looked at her, his eyes... somehow hurt. Then, drooping his head, he walked toward the woods.

This child has been sensitive and insecure ever since his Feathered Serpent parents abandoned him.

And just like Ray, he sees her as his mother...

Sometimes, when Grace sits by the lakeside, Ray is on her lap and Benny is lying by her side...

Grace's heart softened, and she called out, "Benny!"

Benny turned around and looked at her.

His eyes were brimming with tears.

Grace walked over and stroked his head, covered in sharp bone spikes and scales that gleamed like steel. She said, "Benny, you've suddenly grown up and your strength has multiplied—you've become so powerful. You need to learn to control your strength, or else you might accidentally hurt me..."

Benny blinked and gently nodded.

Grace smiled at him and said, "You've just learned to fly, so practice here in the Sanctum. From now on, you'll be my flying mount. The three of us—me, you, and Ray—will always be together, okay?"

His eyes lit up, and he couldn't wait to flap his wings and take off.

Once airborne, he turned to look at Grace.

At that sight, he froze.

Ray's mother—who was also his own mother in his heart—had turned into a dirt-covered person...

What had he done? Was it because he flapped his wings too hard?

He should try flapping more gently...

The dirt in the Sanctum was a bit dry, and Benny had covered Grace in dust with his wings. She coughed a few times, brushed off the dirt, and felt rather miserable.

She might as well go wake up Ray!

But where did those three pearls roll off to just now?

Grace crawled around on the ground searching for a long time, but couldn't find them...

In the end, she simply gave up.